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A bar owner responsible for serving a college student more than two dozen shots of liquor in
less than an hour — and who admitted to downing at least one alongside him — pleaded no contest to
a criminal charge in Hardin County Municipal Court yesterday.

Richard Cribley, 61, was convicted on a charge of furnishing intoxicating liquor to someone who
is already drunk at his business, the Regal Beagle bar, a popular hangout in Ada, home to Ohio
Northern University.

A five-day jail sentence for Cribley was suspended, and the Ada resident was fined $225,
according to the Ohio Investigative Unit, which investigated the case.

Last fall, Ada Police Chief Michael Harnishfeger said a man, who has never been publicly
identified, was celebrating his birthday on Aug. 29 when he downed at least 25 shots of liquor in
less than an hour at the bar.

The man returned to campus and got sick. He was hospitalized a short time later in intensive
care with alcohol poisoning. Campus security notified Harnishfeger on Aug. 30, and he notified
state liquor agents.

Authorities also charged bartender Joseph Jarvi, 33. In December, Jarvi was sentenced to five
days in jail (with four suspended) and was fined $200. He also was ordered to complete 16 hours of
community service.

Both men also were put on probation.

Harnishfeger said from the beginning that he hoped the case would send a strong message to
bartenders and business owners that it’s not OK to over-serve anyone, but that a special
responsibility comes in a college town. He was unavailable for comment yesterday.

The Ohio Investigative Unit operates under the authority of the Ohio Department of Public
Safety.